Slugfest
by Gordon Korman (Author)
From Gordon Korman, the New York Times bestselling author of Restart, comes a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school--for failing PE.
Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School--so good, in fact, that he's already playing on the high school's JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency--PEE, also known as "Slugfest"--in summer school.
Yash gets to know his fellow "slugs" Kaden, an academic superstar who's physically hopeless; twins Sarah and Stewart, who are too busy trying to kill each other to do any real PE; Jesse, a notorious prankster; Arabella, who protests everything; and Cleo, a natural athlete who has sworn off sports.
But when one of them tries to blow the lid off a scandal that could make all their time in summer school a waste, Yash is forced to take drastic action.
Teaming up with the most hapless crew in school can really surprise a person. And their teacher might be hiding the biggest surprise yet...
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Kirkus
The pastries aren’t all that’s sweet in a tale rich in wins both public and personal.
ALA/Booklist
There may be some surprises along the way, but fans can count on a satisfying conclusion.
Publishers Weekly
After spending all year playing on the local high school's JV sports teams, middle schooler and athletic superstar Arnie "Yash" Yashenko is shocked to learn that he's failed PE due to numerous unexcused absences. And because he won't graduate eighth grade or be eligible to try out for high school sports until he attends summer school, he reluctantly joins the Physical Education Equivalency class known as Slugfest. His schoolmates include perpetually bickering twins Stuart and Sarah, practical joker Jesse, clumsy genius Kaden, and former athlete Cleo, who was held back a year due to a serious injury. The unlikely assortment of unhappy students bond over their dislike of the class, whose retired elderly teacher prefers baking to instructing, and even develop close friendships. And when Yash concocts a plan to compete in the citywide flag football tournament as a way for him to try out for the high school football team, he determines to turn his athletically disinclined classmates into champions. Korman (Mixed Up) balances humor and heart, delivering a tale that is both plausible and a little outlandish, realistic and just a bit goofy. Snappy dialogue, idiosyncratically depicted characters, and a madcap plot keep this lively, good-natured story moving at a brisk pace. Most characters read as white. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
A middle school romp that takes the "Bad News Bears" premise for a wild ride. The pastries aren't all that's sweet in a tale rich in wins both public and personal. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A rousing tale filled with hilarity and heart. — BookPage (starred review)
The first-person narrative rotates chapter by chapter among members of the Slugfest team. While not every writer can use this technique successfully, Korman makes it look effortless, [with] his ability to create memorable individual characters. There may be some surprises along the way, but fans can count on a satisfying conclusion. — ALA Booklist
Praise for THE SUPERTEACHER PROJECT: "In this funny and provocative outing...Korman, as usual, takes the side of the kids. Relayed by multiple narrators, the tale offers both different perspectives on effective teaching methods and food for thought about the notion of "personhood. — Booklist (starred review)
A school story with a twist, told with humor, insight, and empathy. — Kirkus Reviews
A keenly rendered, fast-paced read." — Publishers Weekly
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
Schools
Football players
Novels
Physical education and training
Scandals
Summer schools
